Underrepresented Minorities in Medical School Admissions: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Phenomenon: This study explored Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino medical students' perceptions of the medical school admissions process. Previous research has explored other elements of the medical education continuum. However, little is known regarding minorities' perceptions of navigating the medical school admissions process. To address this gap in the literature, this exploratory study suggests a conceptual model describing why minorities apply to medical school and the influences affecting their admissions experience. Approach: This qualitative study utilized a grounded theory approach. Between December 2012 and January 2014, the principal researcher conducted one-on-one telephone and in-person small-group interviews, as well as web-based telephone feedback sessions, with Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino medical students. Findings: Thirty-three students participated, including 23 Black/African American and 10 Hispanic/Latino medical students. Participants represented 25 U.S. allopathic medical schools. Emergent themes are categorized under 2 headings: (a) motivations for a career in medicine and (b) barriers and supports. Motivations for a career in medicine include perceived fit, prior experience or knowledge, encouragement and role models, desire to help others, interest in science, and perceived benefits. Barriers and supports included information, guidance and social support, financial and academic factors, and persistence. Insights: Building on theories of student college choice and academic capital formation, the researcher's analysis and interpretations result in the proposal of a conceptual model describing minority applicants' experience in medical school admissions. The study also suggests research and practice implications related to premedical advising, mentoring, financial assistance, information, outreach, and data collection.

KEYWORDS:

• Underrepresented minorities
• grounded theory
• admissions
• qualitative

Acknowledgments

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author alone and do not reflect the views of the University of Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley Health Network, or the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. The author thanks Laura W. Perna, Ph.D., Marc Nivet, Ed.D., and Roy Hamilton, M.D., for their expertise in conceptualizing this study; Jacqueline Grove, Aliyah Baruchin, and Victoria Kathleen Pérez Whittaker, Esq., for their assistance with this manuscript; and the medical student participants for giving of their time to participate.

Notes

* This article uses the terms “Black” and “African American” interchangeably, reflecting their use in the particular study cited.

** This article uses the terms “Hispanic” and “Latino” interchangeably, reflecting their use in the particular study cited.

* SNMA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation and is the oldest and largest medical student organization dedicated to the education of medical and prehealth students of color.⁶³ All allopathic and osteopathic medical students, premedical students, residents, physicians, and other supporters of the mission and vision of SNMA may participate.⁶³

** LMSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to represent, support, educate, and unify U.S. Latino(a) medical students.⁶⁴